Wat Jong Kham and Wat Jong Klang are located right next to each other. Visitors might think they are a single temple, but they are actually two separate temples. Situated on the shores of Jong Kham Lake, they are the city's most famous temples and are beautifully illuminated at night. Their reflection in the lake is perhaps Mae Hong Son's most iconic photograph. The temples date back to the early 19th century and were built in the Burmese Shan style. Wat Jong Kham is the older of the two and is particularly known for its large wooden throne. Wat Jong Klang is distinguished by its white and gold chedi. In the wihaan behind the chedi are numerous stained-glass windows depicting Jataka tales – stories from India that describe the Buddha's previous lives. These were painted by Thai Yai Shan artists from Mandalay and brought to Wat Jong Klang in the mid-19th century. There is also a small museum with interesting figures and statues. The most unusual feature of Wat Jong Klang is probably the Buddha woven from willow branches, which sits in the Wihaan.

Free entry. Every evening a small night market with a few vendors takes place in front of the temple and in the street leading to the post office.

Since I recommend that you stay overnight in the area around the lake, you should be able to easily reach the two temples Wat Jong Kham and Wat Jong Klang on foot in a few minutes.

Wat Jong Kham and Wat Jong Klang are temples. When visiting a temple in Thailand, there are some rules to observe: appropriate clothing (knees and shoulders should be covered), remove shoes upon entering the buildings, be quiet, no hugging or kissing, do not point your feet at the Buddha statue, and do not smoke.

How to get there

How do you get to Wat Jong Kham and Wat Jong Klang? Since I recommend staying in the area around the lake, you should be able to easily reach both temples, Wat Jong Kham and Wat Jong Klang, on foot in just a few minutes.